Central in this guide means the administrative district of Central and Western. It includes the following neighbourhoods that are either in or close to the Central Business District:

Central (中環) — previously known as Victoria, this is 'downtown' Hong Kong and may be defined as the area within walking distance of Central MTR station. Head north towards the harbour and you will find modern buildings such as the IFC shopping mall. Alternatively, make your way uphill towards the mountain and you will encounter some of the oldest parts of Hong Kong.

Lan Kwai Fong (蘭桂坊) — a small area just southwest of Central Station focused on the L-shaped street of Lan Kwai Fong and also including parts of D'Aguilar Street, Wellington Street and Wyndham Street forming a square around Lan Kwai Fong. The area is packed with restaurants, bars and clubs. Popular with expats and local drinkers.

Mid-Levels (半山區) — continue up the escalator to find the high-end residential area half way up Victoria Peak. In the morning the escalator moves residents down the mountain to their offices in Central.

Sheung Wan (上環) — interesting area below Mid-Levels between Central in the east and Sai Ying Pun in the west. Although adjacent to Central, it has its own identity and is worth exploring if you are interested in small shops and remnants of the territory's colonial past.

Further afield, you might explore:

Victoria Peak (太平山) — high class neighbourhood and popular tourist destination that looks down on Central and Victoria Harbour.

Sai Ying Pun (西營盤) — traditional Chinese residential neighbourhood that is host to Hong Kong University and is populated by a large number of dried seafood shops.

Kennedy Town (堅尼地城) — famous for being at the end of the tramline and little else. This used to be the place to find undesirable people and noxious industries. With the expectation of the MTR, Kennedy Town has recently gentrified.

The Cenotaph. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it is almost identical to the London Cenotaph.

22.28154114.160631Cenotaph (和平紀念碑), Central (between Statue Square and the City Hall, north of Chater Rd). Built in 1923 in honour of the fallen soldiers of WWI and later also attributed to the ones from WWII. It is a copy of the more famous one in London.

22.284114.15023Man Mo Temple Compound, 124-126, 128, 130 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan / Soho. Daily 8am-6pm. Consists of Man Mo Temple, Lit Shing Kung Temple and Kung Sor assembly hall. Man Mo Temple was built in the 1840s and is Hong Kong Island's oldest temple. It is nestled amongst antique shops, with the air full of smoke from hundreds of burning incense coils. While you are there, pop into one of the many antique shops to see some of the best Chinese and South-East Asian antiques in the world, but beware that there are many very clever fakes for sale.

22.28165114.160044Statue Square (皇后像廣場), Central (Central Station, exit K). Public square from the 19th century, originally with a number of royal statues, but now only with one statue of banker Sir Thomas Jackson. It is a relaxing place with plantings and fountains. The square is surrounded by some impressive buildings, including the HSBC headquarters and the Legislative Council.

22.28348114.148517Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences (茶具文物館), 2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels. The neighbour of one of the earliest hospitals in Hong Kong, Tung Wah Hospital, this museum shows how the healthcare system evolved from traditional Chinese medicine to modern Western medicine, via the establishment of numerous hospitals and the first medical school (now the University of Hong Kong), of which Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a student.

City Gallery, Edinburgh Place, City Hall. A celebration of planning proposals and infrastructure projects. Interactive features and devices give visitors the latest information on planning and infrastructure developments in Hong Kong.Free.

22.2676114.16928Hong Kong Police Museum, 27 Coombe Rd, The Peak (NWFB Bus 15 from Exchange Square, get off at the stop after Stubbs Rd), ☎+852 2849 7019, fax: +852 2849 4573. W-Su 9AM–5PM, Tu 2–5PM. There are five galleries: Orientation describing the history of the force, Triad Societies and Narcotics describing the history of Triad Societies and narcotic problems, Police Then & Now describing the transformation of Hong Kong Police Force over the years, Current Exhibition exhibiting changing themes, and Heroin Factory exhibiting a heroin production site.Free.

22.27127114.1500010Madame Tussauds, The Peak. The usual Tussauds waxworks with characters that appeal to Chinese interests.

22.2838114.1390511University Museum and Art Gallery, 94 Bonham Rd, Mid-Levels, ☎+852 2859 2114. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su 1-6PM. The oldest museum in Hong Kong dating back to 1953 has a large permanent collection of Chinese antiquities as well as modern paintings. It also host exhibitions of contemporary and ancient art.

22.28669114.1620612Hong Kong Maritime Museum (香港海事博物館), Pier 8, Central Ferry Piers (Follow signs to Star Ferry Pier Central, the Museum is next door). 9.30-17.30 Monday to Friday, 10.00-19.00 Saturday and Sunday.. In addition to original artifacts, cannons, scrolls, ship's models and paintings, the galleries of Hong Kong Maritime Museum have over 25 interactive screens using the latest technology to introduce visitors to the vast range of stories and topics at the heart of Hong Kong's - and the world's - maritime story. You can learn of the world record holder for solo survival at sea - Poon Lim. See how a junk is built. Trace the development of China's trade routes from the Han to the Qing Dynasty. Investigate China Trade paintings. Hunt pirates. Load a container ship...and much, much more.30.00 HKD, half price for seniors and students.

22.27125114.1500713Trick Eye Museum Hong Kong, Level 3, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak (Take the Peak Tram and go up to the Peak Galleria Mall), ☎+852 2813 1686, e-mail: enquiry@trickeye.hk. 10:00-22:00. As the only one Korean 3D Museum in Hong Kong, Trick Eye Museum Hong Kong presents a magnificent collection of 3D art pieces. It features paintings on plain surfaces that magically appear to be three dimensional through the use of optical illusion. You are most welcome to touch, climb and interact with the amazing exhibits. You can also enjoy the free observation deck view of the beautiful Harbour View.Adults: HKD $150, Child / Senior: HKD$100. (updated Nov 2015)

22.28054114.1614014Chater Garden, Central. Adjacent to the Legislative Council Building, this is the place where disgruntled Hongkongers come to protest. Named after businessman Sir Paul Chater.

22.27716114.1614615Hong Kong Park, Central, ☎+852 2521 5041, fax: +852 2537 1236, e-mail: hkpmo@lcsd.gov.hk. 6AM-10PM. A great place to relax in Central. Head for L16 cafe and bar which is one of the few places where you can eat and drink outdoors away from the traffic.

22.27795114.1564016Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Mid-Levels. A small, free zoo with reptiles, primates, a jaguar, and rare and endangered birds and plants.

22.27986114.1350618Lung Fu Shan Country Park, The Peak. Hong Kong newest and smallest Country Park. Its proximity to the Peak makes it highly accessible and one is rewarded by a pleasant hike away from the crowds nearby. A convenient place to make a BBQ with great views over Victoria Harbour. Budding military historians will enjoy exploring Pinewood battery and other remnants of the Second World War.

The Peak Tower: close to the highest point on the island, the views on a clear day make this an essential part of every tourist's itinerary.

Get a great view of Hong Kong from the giant wok-shaped Peak Tower on Victoria Peak, one of the highest points on the island, as long as the air is clear – it can be obscured by air pollution or cloud. Views of the natural landscape are a stark contrast to views down in the city. The Peak Tower is not only an observation platform, it and the Peak Galleria are full of souvenir shops and overpriced restaurants with spectacular views. There are also some museums and viewing galleries.

From the dawn of British colonisation, the Peak hosted the most exclusive neighbourhood for the territory's richest residents, where local Chinese weren't permitted to live until after World War II. The rich were carried to the Peak in their sedan chairs to escape the summer heat.

Since 1888 the Peak Tram ($28 one way, $40 return) has run directly up from Garden Rd in Central. It stops at the bottom of the Peak Tower. It makes a few stops on the way, so it is possible to go half-way and hike the winding roads on the sloping geography. To get to the start of the tram, follow the signs for ten minutes from Central Station, or bus number 15C runs regularly from the Star Ferry pier. A more picturesque, cheaper and slower way of reaching the Peak is by taking bus 15 (not 15C) from the Star Ferry pier in Central. Not only is it cheaper at $9.80 but, as the bus snakes up the mountain, you can enjoy beautiful views of both sides of Hong Kong Island and passing the territory's priciest neighbourhoods. You can also walk to the Peak from Mid-Levels along Old Peak Road.

The observation deck of the Peak Tower offers panoramic views of both sides of the island but there are a number of nice walks around the Peak Tower that also offer good, but less panoramic, views (getting out is not intuitive as the exits are by design not well-signed; they are located on the ends of the ground floor), One of them is the Lion Pavilion Lookout on Findley Road, about one minute walk from The Peak Tower. You will be able to catch a laser show at 8PM every night. On sunny days, you can find an old man outside the pavilion, offering rickshaw rides along Findley Road. A 10-minute ride costs $100.

For the best views and to get away from the crowds, there is a circular walk along Lugard Rd and Harlech Rd. From Lugard Rd there are views of the skyscrapers of Central and Victoria Harbour. From Harlech Rd, the views are of Lamma and other Outlying Islands. The walk takes around an hour.

From Harlech Rd, you can hike into the Lung Fu Shan Country Park and explore the relics of World War 2.

22.28101114.1525119Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, Mid-Levels. At 800 m long, this is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The escalator runs downhill from 6AM to 10AM and uphill from 10:30AM to midnight every day.

Mount Davies. Walk up Mount Davies to see the abandoned Second World War era gunnery fortifications. Take the steps up from Victoria Rd just west of Kennedy Town; or follow Victoria Rd until you reach the roundabout (about a kilometre), and take the mountain road up. The climb will take a while, but there are many ruins to explore, and great views. There's also a youth hostel at the top if you are too tired to make it back in one go.

22.28261114.154832Wellington St, Central. Nice street with dried foodstuffs, various restaurants, majong pieces. Also check out Art Jam at 123 Wellington St. They provide you with canvas, paints and materials. From $200 to $500 depending on when you go and canvas size.

IFC Mall, Central (in the International Financial Centre complex right above MTR Hong Kong/Central stations). Sleek and impressive, this is arguably the most prestigious shopping centre on the island. Here you will find one of the best cinemas with the added bonus that the film will be the English language version (if it is an animation). Go up to the rooftop and you will find yourself in what is technically public open space. The views of Victoria Harbour are good and you will find a couple of bars that will help you enjoy the public terrace on the rooftop by selling you drinks. Although the bars dominate this area, there is nothing to stop you taking your own food and drinks and picnicking on the tables and chairs provided.

The Landmark, Central. An older shopping centre that has had a recent facelift to incorporate a five-star hotel. For many, it remains a focus for many of the most expensive designer fashion shops in Hong Kong.

Pedder St and Queen's Rd, Central. One of the best locations for jewellery and designer watches at prices that can be up to 35% less than Europe. As always, shop around for the best prices and always buy from reputable dealers to avoid fake goods.

Pacific Place and Queensway and Admiralty Centre, Admiralty. A number of interconnected shopping malls near Admiralty MTR. Pleasant air-conditioned shopping for mid-price to expensive branded goods and restaurants.

Soho and south of Hollywood Rd area. Has a new a trendy shopping area around Staunton and Lower Elgin St with lots of local designers.

22.28443114.150622Cat Street, Sheung Wan. Probably the best place to buy souvenirs, lots of Mao memorabilia, porcelain, buddha statues and "antiques". Lok Ku Rd, walk down Hollywood Rd towards the west, when you see the Man Mo temple walk down the stairs on the right hand side.

Central is a world-class place to eat, with prices to match. Although Downtown Hong Kong has a reputation for posh nosh, travellers on a budget will not starve if they are careful. When it comes to food, Central justifiably feels like ‘Asia’s World City’ and has the full range of Chinese cuisines punctuated by restaurants from around the world. There is even a British-style fish and chip shop.

Eateries are found across Central and if you wander, perhaps looking for evidence of its colonial past, you can trust serendipity to stumble upon somewhere interesting to eat. If you are lost, the famous escalator will guide you past some of the best restaurants and will take you up the mountain to Soho. Soho (Staunton and Elgin Street) is a focus for mid-range and more expensive places to dine. Drinkers will find that the bars of Lan Kwai Fong provide a good range of international food. Adjacent to Lan Kwai Fong is ‘Rat Alley’ (Wing Wah Lane) where a selection of cheaper restaurants can be found. Despite the nickname, Wing Wah Lane is a popular place to eat, and has the advantage of having some places to sit outside in a car-free street.

The IFC shopping mall has a roof terrace where you will find a choice of bars and restaurants. Technically the roof is public open space, here you can eat and drink outdoors with a view of Victoria Harbour.

Lin Heung, 160-164 Wellington St, ☎+852 2544 4556. This is one of the most authentic old world style dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong that uses trolleys to cart its dim sum snacks instead of ordering it using the tick box sheet. Be prepared for a stress induced visit to this restaurant as it is always crowded and you need to work out the system on finding an empty seat and how to grab your desired dim sum snacks from the trolleys. Its a first come first served system, no reservations taken.

L16 Cafe and Bar (湖心餐廳酒吧), Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, ☎+852 2522 6333. Serves Thai and Italian food, but come for the location - not the food. A rare place to drink and eat outside away from the noise of Central. (updated Nov 2016)

Maxim's Palace, 3F City Hall (just east from Star Ferry terminal), ☎+852 2526 9931. One of Hong Kong's most popular dim sum spots, featuring harbour views if you're lucky enough to score a window table. The atmosphere and food are very much in the classical dim sum tradition, a large, noisy hall with waitresses pushing around carts laden with goodies; try the siu mai (燒賣), har gao (蝦餃) and mango pudding. Dim sum served 11AM-3PM daily, expect to queue on Sundays (when the restaurant opens at 9 AM). Try to gather a few people so you can try many different kinds, and expect to pay $100-200 a head. Don't confuse this with Maxim's Restaurant on the 2nd floor.

22.28131114.155781Yung Kee Restaurant, 32-40 Wellington St, Central (MTR Central Station Exit D2), ☎+852 2522 1624. 11:00a.m. - 11:30p.m. (Daily). This is a popular place for Cantonese style Roast Goose and century eggs. Come early and make reservations as they have been known to run out of geese!

Fung Shing Restaurant (鳳城酒家), 7 On Tai St, Sheung Wan (in Western Market), ☎+852 2815 8689. Very local eatery known for its dim sum, which is cheap and good at $10 and up per serving. Open daily from 7:30AM for the dim sum breakfast crowd, but no English menu.

Al Dente, 16 Staunton St, Soho (中環蘇豪士丹頓街16號地下), ☎+852 2869 5463. Italian cuisine. Serving large, medium quality dishes not too different from what you would find in an Italian bistro. Their pastas and meat dishes are better than their pizzas. Often full.

Brunch Club, 70 Peel St, Soho, ☎+852 2526 8861. Neighbourhood-style Western coffee shop (pre-Starbucks style) specialising in brunch and breakfast, although dinner is also served. Customers are provided with a wide range of newspapers and magazines in English and Chinese. Clientele is mainly expatriate.

Double Happiness Cafe, 48 Staunton St, Soho, ☎+852 2549 1862. Shanghai cuisine. Nice and simple little restaurant serving authentic Shanghainese dishes. Prices reflects that this is in the centre of Soho and comparable food can be found much cheaper elsewhere.

Oola, G/F, Centre Stage, Bridges St, Soho (take the Central Escalator up to Staunton St and then turn right along Staunton until it becomes Bridges St), ☎+852 2803 2083. Away from the crowds in Soho, but worth the extra walk. International menu in a comfortable environment. Serves as both a place to eat or drink. Drinks are expensive.$150-300.

[dead link]The Peak Lookout, 121 Peak Rd, The Peak (near the top of the Peak Tram), ☎+852 2849 1000. M-Th 10:30M-11:30PM, F 10:30AM-1AM, Sa 8:30AM-1AM, Su 8:30-10:30PM. Serving a range of international cuisine such as naan bread, Hainan chicken, and steaks in a 19th century heritage building. Also has a pleasant garden patio.

Cafe Deco, Level 1-2, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Rd, The Peak, +852 2849 5111, M-Th 11:30AM-12AM, F-Sa 11:30-1AM, Su 9:30-12PM [1][dead link]. Located opposite the top of the Peak Tram. Features an international menu with items such as fresh oysters, sushi, Himalayan chicken, and pizzas. The food is reasonable, and the views spectacular (especially during the 8PM Victoria Harbour lights/fireworks).

Chez Patrick, 26 Peel St, Soho, ☎+852 2527 1408. An excellent, Parisian-style French restaurant. The proprietor, Patrick, has a delightful obsession with foie gras which extends to creative dishes such as foie gras ice cream served as a first course.

Chilli Fagara, 51A Graham St, Soho, ☎+852 2893 3330. Sichuan cuisine. Great spicy dishes including the favourites you will find in Sichuan Province. This restaurants ambitions appear to go further than just making the food as the mainland original implying that some might be disappointed. Somewhat overpriced but still good.

Luk Yu Tea House (陸羽茶室), 26 Stanley St, Central. Famous for the excellent tea and traditional dim sum. It is a popular meeting place for businessmen. Service, once famously surly, has improved in recent years and they now even provide an English menu on request.

Yung Kee Restaurant, 32-40 Wellington St, Central, ☎+852 2522 1624. Established in 1942, this restaurant has enjoyed unparalleled success and was once named in the "Top Fifteen Restaurants in the World" by Fortune Magazine. Previously a humble BBQ house serving its renowned roast goose, it has evolved into a world famous Cantonese restaurant. Dim sum is also served at lunch-time. Be prepared for a noisy environment at peak times, this type of restaurant is not for those seeking a quiet meal and is best experienced in a large group.

If you want good food, a party atmosphere, or just to people watch, head to Hong Kong's traditional expat hangout of Lan Kwai Fong, a few blocks uphill from Central MTR. Dozens of bars sell pricey drinks: even basic beer costs $50 and up. The 7-Eleven store sells beer and mixed drinks much more cheaply than the bars - and the staff will even open the bottles for you. There is always something going on in The Fong, be it street festivals during the Halloween and New Year's celebrations or the Beer and Food Festivals that pop up in the summer.

Works, 30-32 Wyndham St. A good place for tourists to start on the gay bar-scene. Popular with expats and tourists alike, it is easily accessible in Central. Friday and Saturday are the most popular nights but do not expect many drinkers to arrive much before 11PM.

The Globe, 45-53 Graham St, Soho, ☎+852 2543 1941. 10am - 2am. Excellent beer pub, also has good menu aimed at western taste buds. It is also one of the few places that has Typhoon T8 on tap, a locally produced cask ale.Pint of beer $70, mains from $150. (updated Sep 2016)

Propaganda, B/F 1 Hollywood Rd, Soho (close to Works, it has an entrance that is hard to find so try and follow the migration along Hollywood Rd from Works). Famous gay club. Tends to get going after Works has faded.

22.27724114.122372Jockey Club Mt. Davis Youth Hostel, Top of Mt Davis Path, Mt Davis, Kennedy Town (free minibus from Shun Tak Centre hourly 08:30 - 22:30 (except 13:30 & 19:30)), ☎+852 28175715. Great hostel almost at the top of Mt Davis, with good views over the city and plenty of fresh air - well away from the city bustle. Self catering kitchen, with limited supplies sold in the hostel. Friendly staff.Dorm bed $180 - $250 Double room $460 - $640.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance St, Central (next to the IFC), ☎+852 31968888, fax: +852 31968899. One of the most prestigious in Hong Kong, opened in 2005, 399 rooms, wall-to-wall windows with view of Victoria Harbour or Victoria Peak, two outdoor infinity pools, a 22,000 sq ft spa, and a fitness centre. The only hotel in the world with two three-star Michelin restaurants.From $4,200.

Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Rd, Central, ☎+852 28773838, fax: +852 25218742. One of three elegantly appointed 5-star hotels at the conveniently located Pacific Place complex. The hotel comprises 531 rooms and 34 suites decorated with Asian-accented European furnishings. Facilities include a health club and swimming pool.From $2,800.

The shopping mecca of Kowloon is just across Victoria Harbour; take the Star Ferry for the experience or the MTR for speed.

Take a ferry directly out of the hustle and bustle to the relaxation of Mui Wo or Lama Island

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